As used in this article, the following words and terms have
the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise:

(a) "Applicant" means a person making an application for a
license or renewal under the provisions of this article.

(b) "Board" means the West Virginia Board of Examiners in
Counseling.

(c) "Clinical counseling procedures" means an approach to
counseling that emphasizes the counselor's role in systematically
assisting clients through all of the following including, but are
not limited to, observing, assessing and analyzing background and
current information; utilizing assessment techniques useful in
appraising aptitudes, abilities, achievements, interests or
attitudes; diagnosing; and developing a treatment plan. The goal
of these procedures is the prevention or elimination of
symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior, cognitions, or
emotions in order to integrate a wellness, preventative, pathology
and multicultural model of human behavior to assist an individual,
couple, family, group of individuals, organization, institution or
community to achieve mental, emotional, physical, social, moral,
educational, spiritual, vocational or career development and
adjustment through the life span of the individual, couple, family,
group of individuals, organization, institution or community.

(d) "Licensed professional counselor" means a person licensed under the provisions of this article to practice professional
counseling.

(e) "Licensee" means a person holding a license issued under
the provisions of this article.

(f) "Licensed marriage and family therapist" means a person
licensed under the provisions of this article to practice marriage
and family therapy.

(g) "Marriage and family therapy" means the diagnosis and
treatment of mental and emotional disorders whether cognitive,
affective or behavioral, specifically within the context of
marriage and family systems, that involve the professional
application of theories and techniques to individuals, couples and
families, singly or in groups.

(h) "Professional counseling" means the assessment, diagnosis,
treatment and prevention of mental, emotional or addiction
disorders through the application of clinical counseling
procedures. Professional counseling includes the use of
psychotherapy, assessment instruments, counseling, consultation,
treatment planning, and supervision in the delivery of services to
individuals, couples, families and groups.

Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2016 Regular Session
The West Virginia Code Online is an unofficial copy of the annotated WV Code, provided as a convenience. It has NOT been edited for publication, and is not in any way official or authoritative.